Non-Invasive determination of muscle tissue quality and intramuscular fat
US11064971B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jul 20, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 14, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/4483
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Provided is a non-invasive system and method of determining muscle tissue quality based on image processing. The non-invasive system and method includes determining muscle intramuscular fat content. The methods includes receiving at least one ultrasound scan image of at least a portion of a skin layer as disposed above one or more additional tissue layers, the skin layer defining a horizontal axis and the image provided by a plurality of pixels. The method continues by blurring the pixels of the image and thresholding the pixels of the image to provide an image having a plurality of structural elements of different sizes and gray scale. The method continues with morphing the structural elements of the image to remove small structural elements and connect large structural elements. With this resulting image, the method distinguishes muscle tissue from remaining elements. A ratio of black to white elements is evaluated to determine the muscle tissue quality or intramuscular fat content. Associated apparatuses and computer program products are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.